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Press Release

Trump Targets COVID Hotspot Arizona for His Next Super Spreader Rally

By June 22, 2020June 25th, 2020No Comments

Cases, Deaths Increased 10x Since Stay-At-Home Ordered Lifted In Mid-May

COVID-19 Cases Nearly Doubled In Last Two Weeks

Amid a deepening public health crisis, a crashing economy, and plummeting poll numbers, Donald Trump this weekend tried to shirk responsibility for the ongoing pandemic and to return to the campaign trail. 

The results? Lackluster. Donald Trump jeopardized the health of Americans by hosting a “super spreader rally” in Tulsa, Oklahoma — and despite the fact that the venue was more than half empty, the president put his own supporters’ lives at risk by refusing to mandate masks or social distancing to boost his own ego (failing even at that.) 

Now, Donald Trump is turning his eyes towards Arizona in an attempt to compensate for his embarrassing performance in Tulsa. But with COVID-19 cases in Arizona almost doubling in the last two weeks, hospitalizations on the rise, and ICUs nearing capacity, the President’s second shot at a comeback tour is just another example of his reckless behavior, and his determination to put American lives at risk. 


[New York Times, Accessed 6/22/20]

Trump Will Visit Yuma, One Of The Hardest Hit Locations In The State Where Cases, Hospitalizations, And Deaths Have Spiked In The Past Three Weeks. 

  • “Arizona is now one of the nation’s hot spots for infections, and Yuma, where Trump will inspect the border wall under construction Tuesday, is among the hardest hit locations in the state… Case increases, deaths and hospitalizations have all spiked in Yuma over the past three weeks. Cases and deaths have increased by well over tenfold since Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order expired in mid-May. That outstrips the increase in testing.” [Arizona Republic, 6/19/20]

Arizona Republic: When Trump Returns To Arizona Next Week, He’ll Share Spotlight With Covid-19

On June 18, Arizona Reported Its Highest-Ever Jump In Inpatient Hospital Bed Occupancy. 

  • “Inpatient beds and ventilators in use for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients hit their highest-ever numbers Thursday, according to hospital data. The highest jump came in inpatient beds, with 1,832 beds occupied by suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients Thursday, compared with 1,667 Wednesday.”  [Arizona Republic, 6/19/20]

On June 19, Arizona Reported Its Highest-Ever Number Of Cases Reported In A Single Day.

  • “Another record number of positive COVID-19 cases was reported by the state Friday, along with continued highs for hospitalizations, as the virus continues its escalating spread in Arizona.  Friday’s report of 3,246 new cases was the largest-ever number of cases reported in a day. The record had been 2,519 cases, reported Thursday.” [Arizona Republic, 6/19/20]

Arizona Republic: Arizona Reports Record 3,246 New Cases And High Hospitalizations As Cities Act On Requiring Masks

By June 21, COVID-19 Cases In Arizona Had Nearly Doubled From Just Two Weeks Earlier. 

  • “On June 7 [Arizona] reported 26,989 total cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. On Sunday [June 21], that figure reached 52,390” [CNN, 6/22/20]

CNN: Trump Is Heading To Arizona, Where Covid-19 Cases Have Nearly Doubled In Two Weeks

As Of June 21, ICU Beds In Arizona Were At 85% Occupancy Statewide. 

  • “According to local news outlet KTAR, ICU beds reached an 85 percent occupancy on Friday after being at 84 percent occupancy for the two days prior. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ COVID dashboard, 1,405 ICU beds are currently in use. The 15 percent not currently occupied equates to 257 beds as of Friday. Of those admitted into the ICU, 546 are COVID-19 patients, according to DHS.” [Newsweek, 6/22/20]

Newsweek: Arizona ICUs Have Less Than 300 Beds Available As Coronavirus Cases Rise

As Of June 22, Arizona Was Reporting A 29% Increase In Hospitalizations From A Week Earlier. 

  • “Arizona reported 1,702 people currently hospitalized on a seven-day average, a near 29% increase compared with a week ago. As of Saturday, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported that 83% of inpatient beds and 85% of intensive-care unit beds were in use.” [CNBC, 6/22/20]

Phoenix Officials Will Not Enforce Mask Usage At Trump’s Rally. 

  • “Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said on Sunday that the city’s policy requiring face masks to be worn in public will not be enforced during President Donald Trump’s upcoming event at a Valley megachurch. ‘We are not going to be focused on enforcement during the rally,’ Gallego said during an appearance on CNN. She added that she is hopeful Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey — who will attend the event — will take the opportunity to set an example regarding mask usage.” [KTAR, 6/21/20]

Associated Press: Arizona COVID-19 Case Surge Continues, Setting Care Records

Arizona Daily Star: Arizona, Pima County Set Records — Again — For Weekly Rise In Covid-19 Cases